Truck v cyclist death victims come together in grief

ONE is the boyfriend of a 24-year-old fashion student killed when she collided with a 32 tonne tipper truck; the other is the driver of the lorry.

The two came together in an emotional and unlikely embrace outside of court this week after an inquest into the death of Min Joo Lee found that lorry driver Terence Gibbs could not have been expected to spot her.

Ms Lee died from severe head injuries after being struck at a junction near King's Cross in central London in October 2011.

At the inquest at Poplar Coroner's Court on Tuesday her boyfriend Kenji Hirasawa, came face to face with Mr Gibbs for the first time and told the court they were both the victims of poor road layout and transport policy.

Mr Gibbs, who has been driving lorries for 48 years, said: "It hurts believe me. I can remember what happened like yesterday. I am so sorry this has happened. I wish only for a miracle to bring the life of that lady back."

He added: "I've done that route hundreds of times and I still do it now... There's no cycle lanes - there's nothing down there for cyclists. It's winding me up."

Mr Hirasawa told the court: "Transport for London (TfL) is encouraging people to cycle more - but the roads are not safe enough.

"The environment is not safe enough. The same accidents are going to happen. I don't think TfL are doing enough to make things better."